Dna is composed of

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Composition and Structure of DNA

DNA Base Composition: Key Elements

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is composed of four primary nucleotide subunits: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G) Johnson1985Butola2016. These nucleotides are arranged in two complementary strands forming a double helix, where adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine through hydrogen bonds Rosenberg2017Butola2016. The base composition of DNA, often expressed as the percentage of guanine plus cytosine (G + C), varies among different organisms and can be used to infer phylogenetic relationships Gutteridge1969Johnson1985.

Chemical Structure of DNA

The DNA molecule consists of a backbone made of deoxyribose sugar and phosphate groups, with the nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, G) attached to the sugar Rosenberg2017Butola2016. This structure is crucial for the stability and function of DNA, allowing it to store and transmit genetic information Butola2016Frank-Kamenetskii1997. The precise arrangement of these bases encodes the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms Butola2016Frank-Kamenetskii1997.

Variations in DNA Base Composition

Research has shown that the base composition of DNA can vary significantly between different species and even within different tissues of the same organism. For example, the DNA from the dipteran Chironomus tentans has a guanine plus cytosine content of about 30%, which is lower than that found in other organisms like Drosophila . These variations are not only species-specific but can also be segment-specific within the chromosomes of an organism .

Role of Small Ions in DNA Structure

Small ions play a critical role in the compaction and higher-order structure of DNA. Due to its highly charged nature, DNA interacts with small ions in the solution, which can influence its folding and overall conformation . This interaction is essential for the DNA molecule's ability to undergo large discrete transitions in its structure, which is important for its biological functions .

DNA as a Polymeric Material

Beyond its role in genetics, DNA has potential applications as a polymeric biomolecule for creating functional materials. Its unique molecular recognition capabilities and sequence programmability make it suitable for constructing multifunctional materials with applications in diagnosis and therapy . DNA-based materials can be categorized into pure DNA materials and hybrid DNA materials, which combine DNA with other functional components .

Conclusion

DNA is a complex molecule composed of four nucleotide subunits, forming a double helix structure that encodes genetic information. Its base composition varies among different organisms and tissues, and small ions play a crucial role in its structural dynamics. Additionally, DNA's unique properties extend its utility beyond genetics, offering potential in the development of advanced materials for medical applications.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

THE DNA BASE COMPOSITION OF INDIVIDUAL CHROMOSOMES AND CHROMOSOME SEGMENTS FROM CHIRONOMUS TENTANS

Chironomus tentans DNA has an unusual composition with 30% guanine + cytosine content, similar to that of testis tissue, and significant variations in base data were found between whole chromosomes and segments.

1969·

6citations

·B. Daneholt et al.

The Journal of Cell Biology·

DOI

How are small ions involved in the compaction of DNA molecules?

Small ions play a critical role in DNA compaction, affecting the folding transition and resulting single-chain morphologies.

2007·

30citations

·Takafumi Iwaki et al.

Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces·

DOI

Base Compositions of DNA from some Malarial Parasites

Base compositions of DNA from some malarial parasites can indicate phylogenetic relationships and suggest differences in genetic information, but the converse does not necessarily indicate genetic identity.

1969·

13citations

·W. Gutteridge et al.

Nature·

DOI

1 Determination of DNA Base Composition

DNA base composition can be determined using various methods, including mole percentage G+C values, to compare organisms and understand their genetic differences.

Highly Cited

1985·

70citations

·John L. Johnson

Methods in Microbiology·

DOI

Chemistry of DNA

DNA's chemical structure consists of sugar, phosphoric acid, and four nitrogen bases, with the base composition being characteristic of the species.

2017·

1citation

·E. Rosenberg

DOI

Chemical Structure of DNA

DNA molecule is made up of deoxyribose sugar and two polynucleotide chains, each containing four different types of nucleotide subunits.

2016·

2citations

·Varsha Butola et al.

Research and Reviews: Journal of Chemistry

Determination of DNA base composition by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

DNA base composition can be determined directly and precisely using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with a relative standard error of less than 1%.

Highly Cited

1984·

2500citations

·J. Tamaoka et al.

Fems Microbiology Letters·

DOI

Biophysics of the DNA molecule

DNA plays a crucial role in all living organisms because it is the key molecule responsible for storage, duplication, and realization of genetic information. DNA is a heteropolymeric molecule consisting of residues (nucleotides) of four types, A, T, C and G. Fig. 1 shows the chemical structure of the DNA single strand and the complementary base pairs. The genetic message is “written down” in the form of continuous text consisting of four letters (DNA nucleotides A, G, T and C). This continuous text, however, is subdivided, in its biological meaning, into sections. The most significant sections are genes, parts of DNA, which carry information about the sequence of amino acids in proteins. The importance of the DNA molecule cannot be overestimated. It is therefore natural that the molecule has been attracting attention not only of biologists and physicians but also of chemists and physicists, even theorists (for a popular introduction into the field of DNA science, see, e.g., Frank-Kamenetskii, 1993; 1997). For more than forty years already, the DNA molecule has been a subject of biophysical studies. Many outstanding physicists, who made their names in various areas of traditional physics, mostly in solid state physics, contributed by studying DNA. I.M. Lifshitz did not publish many papers about DNA. Nevertheless, his role in directing attention of physicists toward DNA biophysics was very significant, especially in the USSR. Although I had been already in the field when Lifshitz stormed it in mid-1960s I also experienced profound influence of his personality and style. Due to his enthusiasm and indisputable reputation among Soviet physicists, DNA and protein biophysics temporarily became a focus of attention of the Soviet physics community. This community was a unique phenomenon in the world of science. Due to I.M. Lifshitz, I had an opportunity to present my work on DNA topology at the famous

Highly Cited

1997·

102citations

·M. Frank-Kamenetskii

Physics Reports·

DOI

Impact of Arsenic/Phosphorous substitution on the intrinsic conformational properties of the phosphodiester backbone of DNA investigated using ab initio quantum mechanical calculations

Arsenic substitution in DNA (As-DNA) may maintain similar conformational properties to phosphorus-based DNA, including maintaining base stacking, despite the absence of phosphorus.

2011·

23citations

·Elizabeth J. Denning et al.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·

DOI

DNA: From Carrier of Genetic Information to Polymeric Materials

DNA-based materials show potential for diagnosis and therapy due to their precise molecular recognition, sequence programmability, and biocompatibility.

2019·

4citations

·Jiaojiao Zhang et al.

Transactions of Tianjin University·

DOI

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